Archive By Section - Local News

U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) has announced Mobile District Office Hours for the month of February. Mobile District Office Hours, MDOs, are an opportunity for 10th district residents to meet with the congressman and staff to hear more about his work in Washington, D.C. and the Central Valley, have their questions answered or get help with specific casework.

The Super Bowl is one of the most celebrated sporting events in the world. As the most anticipated sporting event of the year, it is an opportunity for family, friends, and fans to gather together, celebrate, and root for their favorite team. However, the celebration can quickly turn to tragedy when partygoers exercise poor judgment and fail to designate a non-drinking driver.

At its Thursday, Jan. 22 meeting, the California Transportation Commission unanimously approved the appointments of Lucy Dunn as the Chair and Robert Alvarado as the Vice Chair, effective March 1, 2015. Ms. Dunn and Mr. Alvarado will serve in their respective positions for one year.

Entries are now being accepted for the second annual Central California Arts Showcase exhibition taking place this spring at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock and the Mistlin Gallery in Modesto. The juried exhibition is a unique collaboration between the region's two premier visual arts galleries celebrating regional artistic excellence. For this show both galleries will be exhibiting works selected by a single panel of judges. Entries of works in all media are being accepted now through February 27, 2015, and the show will be on display at both galleries from April 1 through May 8, 2015.

The Associated Students of Modesto Junior College (ASMJC) is teaming up with Students United Reaching for Equality (SURE) and MJC's International Student Program to host a workshop for high school seniors and recent graduates on how to make college a reality, with an emphasis on assisting California Dream Act students and those who need information about financial aid. The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident documented students who meet certain provisions to apply for and receive community college fee waivers, Cal Grants, state-administered financial aid, university grants, and private scholarships funded through public universities.

Thanks to the generosity of Raley's customers, employees and community partners, Raley's Food For Families annual holiday bag campaign surpassed its goal by nearly 50 percent, raising 2.9 million pounds of food in Northern California and Northern Nevada. The total, raised from Nov. 7 through Dec. 31, is among the highest in recent years and set a new bar for 2015.

One lane of eastbound F Street traffic near South Fourth Avenue was closed down for about 90 minutes on Wednesday, Dec. 24 while Oakdale Police, the city's Public Works department and Reliable Tow of Oakdale worked on clearing the roadway after a solo vehicle rollover accident.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is urging motorists to start the New Year on the right path by celebrating responsibly. If the night's events include alcohol, make the smart choice and designate a driver before the celebrating begins. The CHP will be ringing in the New Year on the roadway with motorists as part of a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP), which begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015.

As the summer hit full force, there was talk of drought, and the city continued to deal with budget issues. School resumed in August, locals brought home honors from the county and state fairs and eventually we hit the holiday season – kicking off with Halloween and continuing through the Christmas shopping season.

U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) introduced a bill on Wednesday, Jan. 14 to lessen the burden on disabled veterans by extending military commissary and exchange store privileges to former service members and their families.

The Bacigalupi family is well known throughout the Oakdale area. Not only for the infamous H-B Saloon on F Street, but also for their philanthropy including sponsoring the Cowboy Golf Tournament, the annual AFC-NFC Championship Tailgate Party to benefit local causes, donations to Spirit of Oakdale, Community Sharing, the Lions Club Children's Christmas Shopping Tour and several contributions to Oakdale High School sports.

Life is not being wasted on Bill and Joanne Parker. At the ages of 85 (Bill) and 84 (Joanne), this couple did not wait for New Year's Day to make a resolution or begin a new health plan. On Jan. 2, 2015 the couple could be found in the same place they were on Dec. 31, 2014 … putting in some time at Fitness Plus in Oakdale.

Like many families do, the 'family' of kids, parents and teachers at The Learning Tree Preschool in Oakdale recently completed their holiday 'Gingerbread House' craft making activity, with the children able to take home their sweet treats to display (or eat) over the holidays. Following are some photos from the special craft day.

Law enforcement fatalities in the U.S. rose 24 percent in 2014, reversing what had been two years of dramatic declines in line of duty deaths, based on preliminary data compiled and released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).